Is a table saw worth it? The truth

A woodworking table saw is not an inexpensive tool to have in your workshop. So it stands to reason that if you’re considering purchasing this type of saw, you might be wondering, is a table saw worth it?

In short, if you need to cut a lot of wood lengthwise and do it accurately, a table saw is well worth the investment. However, if you only need a table saw once, this is an extremely costly purchase.

However, in order to answer this rather difficult question, several factors must be considered. This article will teach you everything you need to know to find the best and most personalized solution. With all of the information available here, you will gain insights that you may not have considered before, and this article will make it much easier for you to make a decision.

Disclosure: At zero cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon associate. Products featured are selected based on quality, performance, and reputation, regardless of affiliate relationships.

What Is a Table Saw Good For?

If you are new to the table saw, I recommend that you read my main article about the table saw first. This introduction page will teach you all the basics you need to know before getting started with the table saw, and will help you understand this article and the other woodworking table saw articles on my website faster and easier.

Table saws are good for cutting straight and angled lines, and make smoother cuts on both small and long planks. Table saws are used by professionals and DIYers alike. But there is more to discover! Table saws can make a variety of cuts, which you can discover here!

Projects that require a precise cut will be better accomplished with a table saw than with other cutting power tools or handsaws. Also, the bench saw is a versatile cutting tool that can be expanded with a variety of woodworking jigs for even more applications.

How Much Does a Table Saw Cost?

The cost of a woodworking table saw varies according to its type and specifications. Portable table saws are less expensive than stationary table saws.

A decent machine for a small portable table saw can be found for a small budget ranging from $250 to $500. Professional stationary table saws start at $1000 and can cost several tens of thousands of dollars.

Prices for small portables have recently dropped due to the various brands offering table saws. As a result, a good quality bench saw has become quite affordable. If you wonder if you can use a portable table saw for fine woodworking or as an alternative to a stationairy table saw, you should check out my article, Can You Use a Portable Table Saw for Woodworking.

A table saw may take a bite out of your budget, but it does have some advantages. You can save money by cutting your plywood sheets yourself, instead of spending money at the lumberyard where you buy your wood.

To answer the question, “is a table saw worth it?”, just make a calculation and multiply the price to have the wood cut at the sawmill by the number of times you make a purchase. Add the price of an average table saw, and you will see that you have earned back the purchase price of your table saw in no time. Also, keep in mind that table saws can last 5 years and more. This means that the older it gets, the cheaper and more cost-effective a table saw will be.

Before buying a table saw, you should think carefully about your investment. The next part of this article will provide you with information that will help you do this.

Is a Table Saw Worth It?

If you’re not sure whether a table saw is worth buying, thinking about a few questions can help you find the answer. To help you with that, I have listed the most important questions here. I’ll discuss them in more detail in this section:

• Do I need a table saw, or do I just want it?
• Is the table saw attractive, or just the price?
• Can the purchase be postponed for a while?
• Is there a less expensive option?
• How often will I use the table saw?
• Can I borrow a table saw from someone?
• Can I pay for it?
• Will there be a sale soon?
• What is the quality of the table saw?
• Do I already have a tool that can do the same thing?

All these questions can be divided into three large groups, the reason why you want to buy a table saw, the purpose, and the price you have to pay for it.

The Reason Why You Want to Buy a Table Saw

Do I need a table saw, or do I just want it?
Think about whether a bench saw is really necessary. If so, it will be an important factor in your decision. If it’s just something nice to have, reconsider your purchase.

Is the table saw attractive, or just the price?
Discounts can be nice, but they shouldn’t be the most important factor in buying something. If you bought something like $500 for only $400, you didn’t actually save $100, but you spent $400.

Can the purchase be postponed for a while?
If your purchase is not really urgent, it is better to give yourself a few weeks to a month to think about it before you buy the table saw. In the meantime, you may change your mind, find a better alternative, or simply don’t want the table saw anymore.

The Purpose

Is there a table saw alternative?
A bench saw is not cheap, especially if you want a professional woodworking table saw. If you are a beginner and want to get your hands on a professional table saw, you should start with a portable table saw, or a table saw alternative.

How often will I use the table saw?
If you will be using the table saw on a daily or weekly basis, then it is a responsible purchase. However, if you need a bench saw for just one project, it can be an expensive and irresponsible purchase.

Can I borrow a table saw from someone?
If you only need a table saw for a single project, it might be a good idea to check with family or friends to see if you can borrow their bench saw. Also, find out if there is no possibility to rent a table saw in your area.

Price

Can I pay for it?
If you can’t pay cash, reconsider the purchase, especially if it’s an unnecessary item. It would be crazy to spend your last money on the table saw when there may be much cheaper, and more affordable for you, alternatives.

Will there be a sale soon?
Keep an eye on sales or wait for days like Black Friday, for example. Also, listen in the store where you buy all your tools or an item goes on sale. Who knows, they might even hold the bench saw for you until that date.

What is the quality of the table saw?
Search for reviews and see what others think of the bench saw you had in mind. Sometimes you come to know things that may be unfavorable to you. Then don’t be afraid to abandon your first idea and look for the table saw that suits you better.

Do I already have a tool that can do the same thing?
There are many tools that can do about the same as a table saw, and you may have one of these in your workshop. If a table saw is not really necessary yet, you may be able to continue with an alternative tool for a while.

Table Saw or Circular Saw

A table saw is not cheap. Alternatively, a circular saw can be a good table saw alternative if your budget doesn’t allow you to buy a table saw. Not only are the costs a lot lower, a circular saw also takes up less space in a small workshop.

I recommend my previously written article “When to Use a Circular Saw” If you want to learn more about the circular saw and see if the circular saw is a good option for you.

Table Saw Vs Miter Saw

You may be thinking, hey, a table saw looks a lot as a miter saw, why not buy a miter saw. Well, they both have a round saw blade, but they are slightly different from each other.

A table saw can make long cuts in the length of the wood, while a miter saw is ideal for shortening long boards or cutting moldings in miter.

Recently, I wrote the article “Should I Buy A Table Saw Or Miter Saw First”. I suggest you read that article, and maybe you’ll get enough information from it to give you a tailor-made answer to your question, “is a table saw worth it?”

Is a Table Saw Worth It – Conclusion

If you ask me, “is a table saw worth it?”, I have to say that there is no one-sized answer to this question.
It all depends on how you personally will use this machine, how much you will use it, what your budget is, and many other factors.

The information in this article should make you think and make an informed decision.
Use the questions in this article, as well as the information about the different possibilities of the woodworking table saw, and you will undoubtedly find the answer to your question.

Now you can decide if a table saw is worth it, you need to know what table saw to buy. To help you with this, I have my article 5 Affordable Table Saws for Beginners – Table Saw Buying Guide on my website as a source of inspiration.